How does the act of writing a biography fundamentally alter the relationship between the subject and the biographer? John Colapinto, a veteran journalist and staff writer for The New Yorker, examines the complexities of documenting a life. He utilizes his extensive experience in profile writing to argue that the process of capturing a human subject is inherently subjective and fraught with ethical tensions.

Journalism professionals often cite Colapinto’s work as a practical study in the nuances of profile writing. Readers frequently note the clarity of his prose and the candid nature of his reflections on the journalistic craft.